The Windy City

A few weeks ago, Papa Guy packed up his girls and we headed off to the Windy City for a few days of fun. This was Ava's 5th time flying, but her first time having her own seat. I do have to say that she was the best 2 year old passenger on that Delta flight. Here are a few pics of us at the airport...Notice Ava appropriately wore her Delta colors and Captains hat!

We arrived in Moline to spend a day with some of our old friends, from when we lived in Illinois. Ava and Anna Rose became the best of friends.

Ava especially loved baby Andrew...and she couldn't get enough of him.

It's hard to believe that it's been almost 20 years since we moved to Georgia! It is pretty special when you can have 3 generations of friends in one room. Below is Ava, myself, Brenda & Anna Rose. It seems like yesterday that Brenda and I were dancing around in dress up cloths singing to Debbie Gibson.

We had a great time visiting with everyone in our old hometown, but Sunday afternoon we were off for a 3 hour drive to Chicago. It's been such a long time since I've been to the city. I remember going with my grandparents to watch the Cubs play at Wrigley Field...what fun times! We arrived at the Chicago Hilton (gorgeous hotel) went and had a quick pizza dinner and were off to bed. Ava was very excited for bedtime as she got to sleep in her big girl bed (toddler aerobed). You can tell from the pics below how much she loved it.















The next morning Papa headed off to his conference and us girls headed the magnificent mile for a fun day of shopping and a very special visit to the American Girl Cafe. American Girl was amazing and Ava was in heaven with all the baby dolls! Here she is with her first bitty baby whom she named Lila.

We then ate lunch at the American Girl Cafe. Everything was decorated in pink and black and the food was delicious! They even provided a baby highchair & teacup for her new baby Lila. We had such a fun day and we can't wait to visit the new American Girl Bistro in Northpoint Mall soon!

Over the next few days we ate at some great restaurants, went to Navy Pier and rode the giant ferris wheel & carousal, played with Curious George at the Chicago Children's Museum, and visited the animals at Lincoln Park Zoo.

The Sweetest Words
You never know what might just slip out of a 2 year old's mouth, but a few weeks ago, Ava said the sweetest thing. We were at the Cotton Pickin Fair, getting ready to pack up from a very busy Dizzy Dragonfly weekend. Ava's hair was particulary curly that day due to some major humidity when my mom asked her "Ava did Daddy give you those curls." Without skipping a beat Ava replied..."No Mimi God did." I wish I had a video camera to show her expression and so you could hear her tone but it was basically...duh Mimi you should know that God gave me my curls! So on that note...here are just some pics of our little ham.

This one is post bathtime...au natural curls!

Ava's new fish

Ava loves all kinds of animals, but it seems every time we go into Pet Smart she is drawn directly to the fish. Soo...we told her a couple months ago when she was potty trained then she could get her own fish. So as you can see we are VERY happy to report that Ava has been potty trained for a few weeks now. Here are some pictures of Ava with the new love of her life...Blue. Which she very appropriately named after the color of her new beta fish.

Uncle Kiss...

We all know how much Ava loves her aunt and both of her uncles, but on this particular Saturday her Uncle Kiss was the highlight of her weekend. These two pics were just too sweet not to share.

Ready for Game Day!

Here are some fun pictures of our little bulldog getting ready for game day. She couldn't decide whether to sport her red or black game day dress (courtesy of The Dizzy Dragonfly)!

It's so much fun being TWO!!

Well...most of the time as long as you aren't getting your two year vaccinations!

Don't worry Ava survived and once again entertained the nurses with her pitiful bottom lip!

Ava loves being two and loves to play all kinds of fun things, especially when it mimics mommy.

She loves to cook something yummy up in her chef's outfit and new kitchen!

She loves to curl up and read a good book in her sleeping bag.

She especially loves being outside shooting hoops and cruising around on her 4-wheeler.

But at the end of the day there is nothing better than hanging out with daddy, enjoying a messy Popsicle!

Splish Splash It's Ava's 2nd Birthday Bash!

Last weekend, our sweet little Ava turned TWO!! We celebrated with friends and family by having a Hawaiian luau. To bad we weren't really at the beach, because it was very hot! Here are a few pictures from Ava's special day.

Ava was decked out in her grass skirt, pink bathing suit and lei's. She was very excited to see that her Uncle Kiss was a good sport and wore his Hawaiian shirt.




She had lots of fun with Camille, Quinn and Bryant playing in the whale pool, making beach bags and especially racing with Camille down the slip-in-slide.
Nick and Todd even decided to try out the slip-n-slide. Needless to say...they were regretting it the next day.




Ava especially loved her birthday cake that her mommy and mimi made her.

Sweet babies Bonnie Kay and Molly Margaret even made a grand appearance, of course stealing the show. Just think next year, they will be racing down the slip-n-slide! Ava had a wonderful day and is blessed to have such wonderful friends and family! Thanks again, we love you all!

The Park

One of our favorite activities is to go to the park after dinner. It's been sooooooo hot lately, we haven't felt like braving the heat. Finally, last night after dinner we went to one of our favorite parks and let Ava play.

Ava had lots of fun swinging high (not without her shades of course), sliding down all the different slides (big & small) and climbing thru the big jungle maze.

Needless to say when it was time to go home...Ava decided she was NOT leaving!!! I think we got a glimpse of the "terrible twos" a few weeks early! Hum.....who does she look like in this picture :)

Hot Fun in the Summer Time

Our good friends Jennifer & Todd recently got a new boat. This past Sunday, we spent the day with them at the lake and had tons of fun. Ava even had her first ride on the tube (going VERY slow of course). We only meant to stay for half the day, but ended up being on the lake until dinner time! Needless to say, Ava was quite tuckered out...but don't worry she had no problem taking a little snooze.

We had lots of fun tubing, skiing, having a picnic lunch and just floating around. To make it even more exciting... both Jennifer's even got up on ski's for the very first time ever! Thanks so much for a great day, Todd & Jenn!